The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·12211·Announced 2012-06-28

Hot Spring Spas and Limelight Hot Tubs Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Watkins Manufacturing is recalling about 5,600 Hot Spring Spas and Limelight Hot Tubs because loose electrical connections can cause overheating and fire.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with five reported fires, which meets the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (score 4) due to significant property-damage reports, even though no injuries were reported.

Plain-English summary

Watkins Manufacturing Corp., dba Hot Spring Spas and Limelight Hot Tubs, is recalling approximately 5,600 units of Hot Spring Spas and Limelight Hot Tubs. The recall involves 11 specific models: Aria, Envoy, Flair, Glow, Grandee, Jetsetter, Prodigy, Pulse, Sovereign, Vanguard, and Vista. These spas were manufactured from March 2011 to December 2011 and installed since October 2011. They are equipped with Therm Products No-Fault Water Heaters. The affected units were sold through independent spa dealers nationwide from March 2011 to March 2012 for between $6,000 and $12,000.

The recall is due to a fire hazard. A loose internal electrical connection in the spa heaters can overheat and ignite. Watkins Manufacturing has received 31 reports of heaters on these spas overheating, five of which resulted in a fire. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled spas and shut off power to the spa unit. They should contact the Watkins-Therm Products Response Hotline at (855) 226-1314 or their Watkins Manufacturing spa dealer to schedule a free replacement heater and installation by a service technician. Dealers are also contacting affected owners to schedule the installation. The model name and serial code are printed on a label within the spa's equipment compartment, located behind a removable panel on the side of the spa.

The recalled product

Product
Hot Spring Spas and Limelight Hot Tubs
Hazard
Affected units
5,600

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.